The Mighty Pinbar Humbled!

This is a discussion on The Mighty Pinbar Humbled! within the General Trading Chat forums, part of the Reception category; Actually, I'm a big fan of pins. I've learnt though that (the way I do it at least) they're only ...

Actually, I'm a big fan of pins. I've learnt though that (the way I do it at least) they're only good if I'm very, very sniffy about them, and insist on the best. Right up to strong closes - and yes, I am aware that this is random. Doesn't matter.

Anyway, they often still have significance even if you don't want to take them in the usual sense, as a reversal. In fact, I fade them more often than I take them in the conventional manner.

This isn't a great example in terms of outcome, but it illustrates one of the ways that I do this. I find this to be a really good scenario. Trend, range, break of the pin as a trend continuation trigger, or rather breakout trend continuation trigger. Very reliable (again, at least the way that I do it).

This one should have been a break even, but I couldn't babysit it due to work commitments, so I just closed out for about +0.35R when I had to leave the computer. Turned out to be a good thing, because had I been allowed a free hand this afternoon I would have held at break even and made nothing on it. I find I do a lot better with market just holding on, because it trends really well on an intraday level. The chart might be of interest to newer people, just to show how simple trading can be.

I think delta/tape can be very useful on traps like this. The more people that go long at that point, the more people you will have selling when the reversal fails.

Exactly, which is one of the reasons I like fading them. Even if it isn't ultimately going anywhere, the market dynamic means most of the time I can put myself in a safe position, or at least cut out a lot of risk. You've got the people selling below the range, and as you say you've got all the people that got in long and are now wishing they hadn't. Plenty of people suckered in, plenty of longs yelping with pain, plenty of sweet downward pressure.

I really must look into the order book side of things, because I really know nothing about it. It's just a lot of flashing number isn't it ? Are there any good introductory books you could recommend?

And you really should start checking out NQ. Look how smoothly it glides - it makes ES look like an unruly beast.

Do you find that some time frames work better than others? It must help if everyone is looking at the same time frame I imagine.

Well, I think it's really to do with the principles involved more than anything. There are absolute differences in my opinion, but I see different time frames more as the same thing but on a different scale, if that makes sense. So I would say this kind of thing is applicable to any time frame.

That said, the way I like to approach things I've found 15 minute is ideal. I do use 5 minute charts as well, but on that I am ultra choosy and everything really does have to be perfect for me to want to get involved.

Assuming you're already an experienced day trader, I'd start with 15 minute charts. It's all opinion though and what suits your own quirks - I know someone who trades using the same methods and he's the opposite; mostly 5 minute with the occasional 15 minute if something irresistible comes along.

The most important element in making this work though is the ability to wait for good set ups - this is not one for the action junkies.

It's worth experimenting with tick charts as well - sometimes you get a very different perspective on the action. You really need to do some trial and error to find a good number.

They do work well on the daily charts, but not so well on shorter time frames.......

So there you go, two people, two different opinions. My experience has been different to yours, although I agree by the way that this approach can be very useful on daily. Personally, I just struggle with higher time frames because of my temperament.

But it's really just simple stuff, interpreting the buying and selling, looking at the patterns it creates, and seeing what pointers it can give you. I think this mindset can be a useful addition for anyone, no matter how you trade.